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Quantitative trait loci for stomatal density and size in lowland rice

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Abstract

Genotypic variation in stomatal density and size has been reported but little is known of the genetic mechanisms behind these leaf traits. Using 101 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between a tropical japonica, IR69093-41-3-2-2 and an indica variety, IR72, we conducted a field study to determine stomatal density and size and identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling these traits under lowland conditions. Ten QTLs for stomatal density and four QTLs for size were identified across growth stages and leaf surfaces (adaxial and abaxial). The contribution of each QTL to total phenotypic variation ranged from 9.3 to 15.2% for stomatal density and 9.7 to 14.3% for size. The allele from IR72 increased stomatal density and that from IR69093-41-3-2-2 increased size. The expression of the QTLs for stomatal density and size differed by growth stage indicating that these traits might be genetically controlled depending on growth stage or that each QTL had a different function by growth stage. Significant negative genetic correlations between stomatal density and size at both vegetative (r = −0.308**) and heading (r = −0.484**) stages were observed but no common QTL for these traits was detected across growth stages and leaf surfaces. These results indicate that the QTLs for density and size may neither be genetically linked nor pleiotropically controlled and findings can be used as basis for selection at the leaf level on the balance of carbon and water uptake. Further study is needed to fully understand the mechanism underlying the observed genetic association and to elucidate the function of the QTLs involved.

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Abbreviations

LOD:

Logarithm of the odds

NPT:

New plant type

QTL:

Quantitative trait loci

RIL:

Recombinant inbred line

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Acknowledgments

This work was partly supported by the Japan Society for Promotion of Science. We thank Dr. S. Koizumi (National Institute of Crop Science) for allowing the use of their microscope and Ms. Violeta I. Bartolome (Crop Research and Informatics Laboratory, IRRI) for her valuable assistance in statistical analysis.

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Author notes

  1. Tokio Imbe

    Present address: National Agricultural Research Center for Kyushu Okinawa Region, 2421 Suya, Koshi, Kumamoto, 861-1192, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Crop and Environmental Sciences Division, The International Rice Research Institute, DAPO BOX 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines

    Ma. Rebecca C. Laza

  2. Department of Rice Research, National Institute of Crop Science (NICS), 2-1-18, Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8518, Japan

    Motohiko Kondo & Tokio Imbe

  3. National Agricultural Research Center for Western Region (WeNARC), 6-12-1 Nishi-fukatsucho, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, 721-8514, Japan

    Osamu Ideta

  4. Kikkokai Social Welfare Corporation, Ichikawa-minami 1-3-2-305, Ichikawa City, Chiba, 272-0033, Japan

    Edward Barlaan

Authors
  1. Ma. Rebecca C. Laza
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  2. Motohiko Kondo
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Correspondence to Ma. Rebecca C. Laza.

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Laza, M.R.C., Kondo, M., Ideta, O. et al. Quantitative trait loci for stomatal density and size in lowland rice. Euphytica 172, 149–158 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-009-0011-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-009-0011-8

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